KOTA KINABALU: Customs officers in Sabah have foiled a series of smuggling attempts involving various contraband items — including over 40kg of syabu — during separate operations across the east coast throughout March.
The total value of the seizures, which included ketum (kratom), fireworks, illicit cigarettes and a vehicle, amounted to RM3,344,312.35.
Sabah Customs Assistant Director-General (performing duties) Saidin Jalaluddin said these successes were the result of both public tip-offs and the department’s continuous enforcement efforts.
The largest case involved the seizure of 40.787kg of methamphetamine worth RM1.3mil, discovered at the Semporna-Kota Kinabalu bus terminal on March 11.
“A team from the Semporna Customs enforcement unit found two suspicious boxes during an inspection at the terminal,” he said during a press conference at Menara Kastam Sabah, on Wednesday (April 9).
“They were later found to contain the drugs.”
Saidin said the smugglers had used the bus terminal as a hiding spot to avoid detection by authorities, adding that investigations are ongoing to identify the drug syndicate behind the attempt.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
In a separate case in Tawau on March 6, Customs officers seized nine boxes containing 125kg of green powder suspected to be ketum.
“The suspect used a private bus to smuggle the substance,” said Saidin, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952.
The third case involved the seizure of fireworks and firecrackers, with major finds reported in Lahad Datu and Sandakan.
“On March 18 in Lahad Datu, we seized fireworks worth RM1,130,640 with unpaid duties of RM737,239. A separate seizure in Sandakan on March 11 involved 6.84kg of firecrackers worth RM943,” he said.
None of the seized items had valid import permits, and the cases are being investigated under the Explosives Act 1957 and Customs Act 1967.
In another case, non-duty-paid cigarettes were found in two separate vehicles on March 10 and 12, with the total seizure worth over RM24,000.
“The final case on March 13 involved the seizure of a sedan car worth RM15,000 with duties amounting to RM12,875. The vehicle had overstayed its authorised entry period in the peninsula,” he said, adding the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
Saidin called on the public to continue supporting enforcement efforts by providing information on smuggling activities through the Customs toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-8855 or by contacting the nearest Customs office.
“The identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential,” he assured.
